Maybe Mars turns 10!

October 6, 2017

This month Maybe Mars, one of China's largest and most beloved independent record labels celebrates their ten year anniversary. Launched in 2007 and focusing on the country's most compelling punk, post-punk, experimental, and avant-garde folk artists. Their roster includes influential acts such as P.K.14, Carsick Cars, Snapline, Xiao He, WHITE+, Chui Wan, Birdstriking, and Demerit.

Over their now decade-long existence, the label has played a major role in defining the sound of the Chinese underground. Formed out of Beijing's legendary punk venue D-22, fledgling acts Carsick Cars and Snapline joined together with punk and post-punk icons Joyside and P.K.14 to create a label truly dedicated to capturing this new, more experimental sound. Over the next decade, Maybe Mars' catalog grew to over 70 albums from over 40 artists, including many of the most iconic titles of modern Chinese rock. Focusing on the quality of their recordings, the label has always strove to produce releases that will stand the test of time. In an effort to capture the music in the most compelling way possible, they've worked with an impressive list of internationally recognized producers including Wharton Tiers, Martin Atkins, Blixa Bargeld, Brian Hardgroove, Andy Gill, Ricky Maymi, Rusty Santos, Steve Albini, Sonic Boom & Hamish Kilgour.

Proving that their artists can hold their own anywhere in the world, Maybe Mars acts have performed at renowned international festivals including South By South West, All Tomorrow's Parties, Primavera Sound, Austin Psych Fest, Sydney Psych Fest, and Van's WARPED Tour, along with opening for internationally recognized acts such as Sonic Youth, Gang of Four, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, My Bloody Valentine, Michael Rother and Manuel Gottsching. Their artists have gained praise in such major publications as the New York Times, Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal, ABC (Australian Broadcast Corporation), NPR, and CNN.

If you're new to Maybe Mars or a fan of their veteran acts, their ten-year anniversary is the perfect time to dig deeper into their catalog and get to know one of China's most impressive independent labels.

Carsick Cars 's/t'Maybe Mars

What can we say about Carsick Cars that hasn't already been said? One of Maybe Mars' flagship acts, they are Thee legendary post-punk band of the Beijing underground. They forever changed the shape of the Chinese scene. One of Maybe Mars' first releases, this self-titled debut feels as fresh and relevant today as it did upon release a decade ago. Truly a classic of Chinese indie rock. Available on CD/Digital Download

Hailing from China's southern city of Chengdu and representing Maybe Mars' national reach, Hiperson are a band notably influenced by P.K.14 with their wide-screen, cinematic sound. Their debut album 'No Need for Another History' was, in fact, produced by P.K.14's Yang Haisong. Available on double LP/CD/Digital Download.

Formerly of the influential Taiwanese act Boyz&Girl, Ben Ben relocated to Beijing where 'Sacrifice Mountain Hills', her second album, and first for Maybe Mars was recorded with musicians from Birdstriking and Carsick Cars (of which she was also briefly the drummer). Her follow-up release, 'Mirror in Mirror', a pure lo-fi dream-pop delight, sees her returning to her homeland with a new lineup including members of her very first band Freckle. Available on red vinyl LP/CD/Digital Download.

The true godfathers of the Chinese underground, P.K.14 collaborate with Alpine Decline and Zoomin' Night's Zhu Wenbo for this improvisational performance from UCCA curated by Sun Quichen. This release, a dramatic departure from their usual post-punk approach, captures them at their most experimental. Available on orange with black splatter double vinyl LP

Claiming the throne abandoned by Joyside, the Bedstars champion snotty '77 punk. The musicality here is more Dead Boys than Thunders, however, the depth of their songwriting belies their hell-for-leather attitude onstage and off. Together in the Maybe Mars catalog with SMZB and Demerit, The Bedstars represent the best-of-the-best in Chinese punk. Available on vinyl LP/CD/Digital Download.